1. What is the Medicare Post-Op Period?

The Medicare Post-Op Period refers to the global surgical period during which all related services are included in the surgical payment. This calculator helps determine the end date of this period based on the surgery date and global days.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Surgery Date} \) — The date when the surgical procedure was performed
• \( \text{Global Days} \) — The number of post-operative days included in the global period (typically 0, 10, or 90 days)

3. Importance of Post-Op Period Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of the post-op period is crucial for proper billing and reimbursement under Medicare rules. Services provided during this period are generally not separately billable.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the surgery date and the number of global days (typically 0, 10, or 90 days depending on the procedure). The calculator will determine the last day of the global period.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the common global periods?
A: Medicare recognizes three global periods: 0-day (minor procedures), 10-day (many minor surgeries), and 90-day (major surgeries).

Q2: Does the day of surgery count as day 0 or day 1?
A: The day of surgery is day 0. The global period begins the day after surgery.

Q3: Are weekends and holidays included?
A: Yes, all calendar days are counted in the global period calculation.

Q4: What if the end date falls on a weekend or holiday?
A: The global period ends on that calendar day regardless of whether it's a business day.

Q5: Where can I find the global days for a specific procedure?
A: The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns global days to each CPT code.